The Gallo-Roman villa is in a protected area of 14 hectares. This natural heritage is linked to its rich past. The topics discussed shed light on the knowledge of the Gallo-Romans in the management of their environment and question us about our current practices.
The current site of Malagne has remained in a natural environment that is very similar to that of Antiquity. It is located in a region called Calestienne. With a milder climate than that of the nearby Ardennes, this region contains many caves (Han-sur-Lesse, Rochefort, Hotton, Remouchamps, …). It is in this jewel of cultures, gardens and nature that visitors are invited to walk. Some parts of the site are also labeled as “Nature Network” by Natagora.
The site has designed a garden in the Gallo-Roman way where many vegetables and wild edible plants, known at the time, are grown. Vegetables are grouped in a “Roman” way depending on the portion consumed: carrot, seeds, leaves, fruit, etc.
Opposite the vegetable garden is a mosaic garden composed of twenty-two beds of utilitarian plants, divided according to their use and their origin: brewing plants, medical, tinctorial, aromatic, …
Finally, different animals are raised in Malagne. These are the most important species found on farms in the Gallo-Roman era: horses, cattle, sheep, goats, donkeys, poultry, … The animals we show are from old breeds and morphologically resemble the breeds that were raised in our regions 2000 years ago.
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